This reminds me of something I read in a pre-internet book about the differences in business culture between the French and the Americans. The American would say: "It may work in theory but does it work in practise?" The French would say: "It may work in practise but does it work in theory?". I'm sorry I cannot credit the author. Critical Theory is just that: a theory. A dangerous theory that divides people and can only end in tears. A teacher doesn't "teach" critical theory. A teacher teaches geography, math, music, biology, art and history by way of a Critical Theory Framework. Any subject/topic/theme/thesis can be framed through the lens of CT, intersectionality, marxism, capitalism, socialism, racism, feminism etc. Today, the Anglosphere is blinded by theory that is shockingly retrograde and damaging in practise. The French are still able to practise discernment between the two. The cartesian mindset is alive and well but wobbly. And they don't expect people to be nice.
Yes, DEI is essentially Critical Race Theory. I, like many people across all races, am sick to death of the protestations of the media here in the U.S. and elsewhere that "Critical Race Theory isn't taught in public schools, only in graduate school," and that anyone who dares to suggest otherwise is obviously a flaming racist.
The argument seems to be that teaching/advocating the underlying arguments of CRT as if they were established fact (white privilege! microaggressions! systemic racism! oppressors vs. the marginalized!) is not actually CRT as long as you never actually REFER to it as "CRT."
And you are absolutely correct about the appalling, tragic, and apparently repeatedly unlearned lessons to be drawn from historical use of in-group/out-group and oppressor/victim narratives to justify screaming atrocities in the name of "equalizing for historic injustice." What is happening to women's and girls' rights in the current climate is horrifying to me.
This reminds me of something I read in a pre-internet book about the differences in business culture between the French and the Americans. The American would say: "It may work in theory but does it work in practise?" The French would say: "It may work in practise but does it work in theory?". I'm sorry I cannot credit the author. Critical Theory is just that: a theory. A dangerous theory that divides people and can only end in tears. A teacher doesn't "teach" critical theory. A teacher teaches geography, math, music, biology, art and history by way of a Critical Theory Framework. Any subject/topic/theme/thesis can be framed through the lens of CT, intersectionality, marxism, capitalism, socialism, racism, feminism etc. Today, the Anglosphere is blinded by theory that is shockingly retrograde and damaging in practise. The French are still able to practise discernment between the two. The cartesian mindset is alive and well but wobbly. And they don't expect people to be nice.
Loved this, Shannon. Thank you for writing it!
Yes, DEI is essentially Critical Race Theory. I, like many people across all races, am sick to death of the protestations of the media here in the U.S. and elsewhere that "Critical Race Theory isn't taught in public schools, only in graduate school," and that anyone who dares to suggest otherwise is obviously a flaming racist.
The argument seems to be that teaching/advocating the underlying arguments of CRT as if they were established fact (white privilege! microaggressions! systemic racism! oppressors vs. the marginalized!) is not actually CRT as long as you never actually REFER to it as "CRT."
And you are absolutely correct about the appalling, tragic, and apparently repeatedly unlearned lessons to be drawn from historical use of in-group/out-group and oppressor/victim narratives to justify screaming atrocities in the name of "equalizing for historic injustice." What is happening to women's and girls' rights in the current climate is horrifying to me.